Richard Burrell, is the Pastor of Mount Pleasant Church in Buckeye Arizona, and is the youngest man to ever be appointed by the church elders and other leaders to serve as leader and role model before its congregation. He was elected to this position of trust in May 2001, and at the time of his appointment the church consisted of three members. Today, under his vision and guidance, Pastor Burrell leads a growing congregation of over 300 members.
With an honorary doctorate degree and two earned master degrees (one in Biblical Studies and Theology from Canterbury University.) Pastor Burrell is using his education and expanding vision to establish multiple ministries and programs, to serve the most vulnerable population. He is the Founder and Executive Director of Buckeye Outreach for Social Services (BOSS) a 501(c)(3) IRS approved nonprofit faith-based organization founded in September 2005. This organization was created to empower individuals and families to achieve self-reliance. He is also the CEO and Founder of Richard Burrell Ministries and Burrell Property Management.
Pastor Burrell is the first African American to attend and complete Buckeye Leadership Academy, and in 2008 he was the first African American to receive two Community Service awards one for Relay For Life Cancer Awareness and for work being done through BOSS. His dream was to have the Town of Buckeye celebrate Dr. Martin Luther King’s holiday, so he planned, sought, and received funding from the Town of Buckeye for the first ever Martin Luther King, Jr., Diversity Day which took place on January 16, 2007 and continues planning events around Dr. King’s message of “Diversity.” As a result of his diligence the Town of Buckeye now observes this holiday. He is a faith-based consultant who is sought by local, state, and national faith-based groups for vision, design and the implementation of community-based programs and growing small churches. His latest outreach ministry is HIV/AIDS education among rural isolated populations of socially, economically and educationally disadvantaged individuals. He has spoken at numerous motivational, fund raising and a “call to action” events.
When he is not shepherding or being a spiritual father to his congregation, he volunteers his time, visions and talents to participate on panels, organizations and committees that are focused on helping and healing individuals, families and communities. Some of the positions that he currently holds are; original board member to the Town of Buckeye Faith Builders and sits on TOB committees for the Homeless and Transportation, Consultant to the Governor’s Council, 3rd Vice President of NAACP of Maricopa County, Religious Affairs Officer, he is a Silver Life Member of the NAACP and Chaplin of NOBLE (National Organization Black Law Enforcement Executives.)
On February 14, 2009, Pastor Burrell was given the James Love Bryant award for his tireless effort for getting the message of HIV/AIDS out not only through outreach programs but also from the pulpit. Normally this award is given to groups and organizations for their work within the HIV/AIDS community, however; Pastor Burrell is the first ever to receive this award as an individual. Also, to his credit Pastor Burrell has received countless certificates, honorable mentions and plaques for his work with HIV/AIDS.
Pastor Burrell lives his convictions; he says what he means and means what he says. Pastor Burrell has a unique quality in the way he conveys his message, when he explains it an infant can understand it! He is a devoted husband to Tamie and dad to Tamar, Marc, Richard, Lareesha and London.
